Joined by federal, state and local officials in
united support, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger discussed his submission of the
state's application for nearly $4.7 billion in federal American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act funding for engineering, design and construction on California's
high-speed train system. Pledging a dollar-for-dollar match from state and
local funds, including the high-speed rail bond passed by California voters in
November 2008, the state's application would generate a nearly $10 billion
investment. This funding would collectively create nearly 130,000 jobs
throughout California.

A map from 1900 that
highlighted Kansas railways would have just been one giant black blob from all
the crisscrossing railways, The Morning Sun in Pittsburg, Kan., reports. That's
no longer true. Five counties in the state no longer have any railway of any
sort (Rooks, Graham, Greenwood, Chautauqua and Comanche).

Railroads might have their
roots in the 19th century, but they still are important to the area economy,
say transportation and economic development officials, The Longview News-Journal
reports. Two area groups, meanwhile, are working to provide more rail options.

The new Mission Bay Drive
crossing in San Francisco is scheduled to open to pedestrian and vehicle
traffic Oct. 7. The crossing will provide access to Mission Bay residential
neighborhoods and eventually, to the UCSF Mission Bay campus from the west side
of The City. The new Caltrain grade crossing is wider than most because it
crosses three tracks instead of the usual two tracks. There is a pedestrian
crossing on the south side of the grade crossing that includes safety gates
with emergency swing gates, tactile warning strips, sidewalks and pavement
markings. There is no pedestrian crossing on the north side of grade crossing.

For the first time,
SkyTrain passengers will be able to access platforms 3 and 4 at the Commercial-Broadway
SkyTrain station in Vancouver, B.C., from the new 10th Avenue entrance. Transit
customers should be advised that the elevator at 10th Ave is awaiting final
inspection. Passengers who need assistance should still use the elevator on the
north side of Broadway street.

Union Pacific
Chairman and CEO Jim Young, Iowa Department of Transportation Director Nancy
Richardson and Boone, Iowa, Mayor John Slight commemorated one of North America's
tallest double-track railroad bridges, the new Kate Shelley Bridge in Iowa
spanning the Des Moines River. Young, Richardson and Slight rode a Union
Pacific train over the bridge, which is more than 2,800 feet long and 190 feet
high.

The California High-Speed
Rail Authority on released its much-anticipated "alternatives
analysis," the most detailed view yet of how the massive transportation
project might forever transform the region from San Francisco to San Jose, the
Mercury News reports.